4chan-reader

Overview

4chan-reader is an OpenClaw skill that provides a command line interface for reading 4chan boards and threads. It uses the 4chan JSON endpoints to fetch data and then renders posts in a readable format. The skill supports browsing a board, viewing a specific thread, searching within a board, and exporting results in structured formats. It can also save output to a file and download images from a thread.

What This Skill Is Good For

Use 4chan-reader when you want a lightweight, scriptable way to read 4chan content without a browser. It is useful for research, monitoring specific threads, and collecting content for analysis. Because it runs in a terminal, it can be used in automation pipelines or in environments without a graphical UI.

Core Parameters and Options

The skill is driven by a single CLI with options that control which content is loaded and how it is displayed.

• Board selection: You specify a board with the board flag. This is required for most commands because the API is organized by board.
• Thread selection: You can view a specific thread by providing the thread ID. This is the main way to retrieve a full conversation.
• Search: The search option scans a board for a keyword. This is useful when you want to find threads or posts containing a specific phrase.
• Catalog view: The catalog option retrieves the board catalog so you can see a list of current threads and their summaries.
• JSON output: The JSON flag returns raw structured data rather than formatted text. This is important for scripts that parse results.
• Max posts: The max option limits the number of posts returned, which is useful for quick previews or rate limited workflows.
• Save output: The save option writes output to a file for later review.
• Download images: The download option retrieves images from a thread and saves them locally, with an optional download path.

These options can be combined to build flexible workflows. For example, you can search a board, then view a specific thread, then export the thread as JSON or save it to a file.

Typical Workflows

A common workflow is to start with the catalog to see what threads are active, then open a specific thread by ID. This is a quick way to monitor a topic without browsing the site manually. If you need to analyze content, use the JSON output option and pipe the results into another tool.

Another workflow is board search. Use the search option with a keyword to locate threads or posts of interest. Once a match is found, view the thread with the thread ID. This makes it easy to locate relevant discussions in a large board.

If you need a record of a conversation, use the save option to export output into a file. This is helpful for archiving or for later analysis. If your workflow involves media, use the download option to store images locally for further processing.

Output and Data Handling

The CLI outputs human readable text by default. This is useful for interactive use. For automation, JSON output is more reliable because it preserves structured fields such as post numbers, timestamps, and content. When you use JSON output, you can parse the data with scripts and integrate it into your own pipelines.

Saving output to a file is useful for archival. If you do that, ensure you store files in a clear directory structure so you can find them later. If you download images, use a dedicated directory to avoid clutter and to keep media organized by thread ID or board.

Rate Limits and Efficiency

The 4chan JSON API is public and does not require authentication. However, like any public endpoint, it is good practice to avoid excessive requests. Use max limits and caching when possible. For large monitoring jobs, consider spacing requests and only refreshing the threads you care about.

Troubleshooting Tips

• If a board or thread cannot be loaded, confirm the board name and thread ID.
• If search results are empty, try a different keyword or check the board catalog.
• If downloads fail, confirm the download path is writable.
• If JSON output is malformed, ensure the output was captured correctly and that the thread is still available.

Summary

4chan-reader provides a simple, scriptable interface for reading boards and threads from 4chan. It supports catalog browsing, thread viewing, search, JSON output, file export, and image downloads. These features make it a flexible tool for terminal based reading, lightweight monitoring, and downstream analysis workflows.

Combining Options

The options are designed to be combined in a single command. For example, you can search a board and limit the number of posts returned, or you can load a thread and immediately export JSON to a file. This flexibility makes the tool suitable for both interactive exploration and automated data collection. By using the board option with catalog first, you can get thread IDs and then use the thread option to fetch a focused subset of content.

Summary

4chan-reader is a minimal CLI wrapper around the 4chan JSON endpoints. It focuses on board selection, thread viewing, search, structured output, and optional file or media export. Those capabilities make it a practical tool for command line access to public board content while keeping the workflow simple and predictable.